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October 13, 2009
Help Google model 3D buildings with a simple new tool
Google has just unveiled "Building Maker", an incredibly easy-to-use tool that will help them quickly expand their collection of 3D buildings.
To use Building Maker, simply choose a city from the list of 50 that they provide, and then find a building you want to model. In the browser, use the tools to outline the building. When you have it lined up, click the next image (different view of the same building) and tweak the alignment. Repeat this on a few different images until everything is lined up perfectly, then submit the building. That's it!
The only downside is that Building Maker currently only works in certain areas near big cities, so the scope is somewhat limited. This is because they need to have imagery from enough different angles for the process to be successful. I would think they'll be rolling it out to wider areas as more imagery becomes available.
Watch the video below for more information, or visit the Building Maker site to get started.
Posted by mickmel at October 13, 2009 11:33 AM
Comments
Posted by: Huntsville AL Cabling - Low Voltage Voice and Data Wiring at October 13, 2009 2:57 PM
Two questions:
Does it work in cities not built on regular grids and/or with complex structures (the video shows a very simple structure)?
What happens when lots of people model the same building?
Posted by: Chris at October 13, 2009 3:54 PM
To Huntsville AL Cabling: they did use the automated process for example in Warsaw and its really messy. Computer just didnt distinguish tree from solid building... In my opinion its one of the biggest steps to make 3D cities really rich in models.
To Chris: For more complex models You can use Sketchup.
They choose the best model using their requirement list.
Awensome tool - enough said :)
Posted by: PaSKud at October 14, 2009 7:24 AM
PaSKud - wouldn't it be better if Google had a way of showing where models were still needed, rather than risk duplicated effort and user frustration, to get the max from this "awesome tool"?
Posted by: Chris at October 14, 2009 10:54 AM
Interesting tool. Also showing that Google has much more imagery, that is showing in GE and can launch Bings maps Birds eye equivalent anytime.
Posted by: jk at October 14, 2009 1:17 PM
So, better check in Google Earth before editing ;)
Posted by: Kaczor at October 14, 2009 2:05 PM
Google also provide a '3D Warehouse network link' for Google Earth to find out what buildings have been uploaded to 3D Warehouse for any particular place.
Posted by: Jon at October 14, 2009 4:51 PM
wouldn't it be better if Google had a way of showing where models were still needed, rather than risk duplicated effort and user frustration, to get the max from this "awesome tool"?
Posted by: microsoft office 2007 key at November 14, 2010 9:32 PM
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Does anyone know how many people are using this feature to build these buildings? Its a pretty need idea but why doesnt google take this out of human hands and use computers and the arial photos to generate these buildings? I mean who really has the time to site around and build fake buildings for no reason?